Critical success factor analysis of blockchain technology in agri-food supply chain management: A circular economy perspective

In the sustainability system, which gives importance to the availability of resources, recycling, renewal, and reproduction strategies can be handled under the name of the circular economy. While there are many stages to be followed from food production to consumption and even recycling, one of the technologies that will contribute to the circular economy that can take an active role in these stages is blockchain technology. In this study, which is about the circular economy in sustainable supply chain management, the contribution of blockchain technology to agri-food supply chain management is discussed. The aim of the study is to research, analyze and prioritize the critical success factors of the use of blockchain technology for the agri-food sector on the way to the circular economy. As a first step, with the help of PESTEL analysis approach, 12 critical success factors for agri-food supply chain management under the political, economic, social, technological, environmental, and legal dimensions of blockchain technology within the scope of circular economy are determined. Analytic Network Process (ANP) and MultiAtributive Ideal-Real Comparative Analysis (MAIRCA) methods are used in an integrated way to consider the degree of influence between the factors and to determine the ideal optimal factor. In the results, it is determined that the political and technological sub-criteria of blockchain technology is determined, and it is observed that the criteria handled in line with the sustainability system are compatible with the perspective of reducing the waste of resources of the circular economy. If blockchain technology is used in the agri-food sector, it has been determined that it will contribute to the circular economy with the success factors in this study. “Ability to prevent food waste”; “Increased food security”; “Product lifecycle tracking” factors take priority in their ranking.